In this edition, we look back on the exciting activities of the second half of the year! We kicked off the summer with a launch event for our 2024 Impact Report at the Hudson Institute, then joined a panel at the NAJAS Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, followed by a trip to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) Tokyo headquarters to attend the inaugural Japan Mobility Show Bizweek, and much more.
The JAMA USA family would also like to take the opportunity to wish each and every one of you a wonderful holiday season filled with merriment, peace, and good health! Thank you for your friendship and support this past year, and we look forward to working with you once again in 2025.
JAMA USA Office Highlights
2024 Impact Report Launch with the Hudson Institute
On June 27, at the Hudson Institute, JAMA USA officially launched the 2024 Impact Report: The Way We Work. The event, “Japanese Automakers: Driving Investment in the U.S. and Strengthening Bilateral Ties,” featured JAMA USA’s General Director, Anita Rajan, who participated in a fireside chat with Hudson Institute Japan Chair Director, William Chou, to share the key takeaways of the report and underscore the importance of the Japanese automotive industry’s cumulative investments in the U.S. Hideaki Fujisawa, the current Economic Minister (METI) at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., also provided opening remarks on the automotive industry’s important role in deepening bilateral economic ties and strengthening America’s competitiveness.
This was our second event with the Hudson Institute this past year and an incredible opportunity to showcase the meaningful, decades-long contributions of our members to the U.S. workforce and domestic economy and to recognize the foundational role good-quality FDI has played in strengthening ties between the U.S. and Japan.
General Director Speaks at 2024 NAJAS Annual Meeting
On August 21-23, JAMA USA was delighted to attend and participate in the 2024 National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) Annual Meeting held in Portland, Oregon. This annual gathering brings together the extensive national network of Japan Societies as well as high-level experts and professionals in the U.S.-Japan space to network and discuss geopolitical, economic, and grassroots issues central to bilateral engagement.
Anita Rajan, JAMA USA’s General Director, participated in a panel focusing on workforce development challenges and opportunities for the private sector. Rajan underscored the myriad ways in which Japanese-brand automakers have been industry leaders in building out robust workforce development initiatives and strengthening the American workforce in communities all across America. This cross-sector exchange also embodied the value of sharing best practices between innovative and rapidly evolving industries such as the semiconductor and automotive sectors.
JAMA Tokyo Headquarters & Japan Mobility Show Bizweek
In October, Jenny Kai, JAMA USA’s Senior Manager of Government & Public Affairs, traveled to JAMA’s headquarters in Tokyo to attend the inaugural JAMA Mobility Show Bizweek, which aimed to showcase members’ latest technological developments and promote new mobility-based partnerships between companies and startups across industries. This Bizweek version of the show will now be held in alternate years with the longstanding Japan Mobility Show, formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show, which began in 1954. She also had the opportunity to brief JAMA members about the 2024 U.S. presidential and congressional elections and potential implications for the automotive industry as well as the overall state of trade policy going into next year.
Following the trip, Kai also penned a blog entitled “Looking to the Future: A Continuing Legacy of Commitment.” The piece reflects on how, regardless of politics, Japanese-brand automakers are steadfastly committed to building upon a decades-long legacy of investment in high-quality American careers and bolstering the domestic workforce, whether through the expansion of existing facilities or new investments.
JAMA USA Attends JASWDC Gala
On October 30, the JAMA USA team had the pleasure of attending the 38th Annual JASWDC U.S.-Japan Capital Gala celebrating the U.S.-Japan space partnership at the Omni Shoreham, Washington, D.C. together with family and friends. This event is one that we look forward to attending every year, as it inevitably serves as a symbolic toast to one of the most consequential bilateral relationships in the world on all levels – from the grassroots and industry to the highest echelons of government. Not to mention, there is usually an actual toast (with sublime sake) during dinner!
Special guests and keynote speakers included Kurt Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State; H.E. Shigeo Yamada, Japan’s Ambassador to the U.S.; Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs; representatives from NASA and JAXA; and so many more.
Field Visit to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Facility (TMMK)
In November, JAMA USA headed to Kentucky for a fulfilling trip to tour the flagship Toyota Georgetown, Kentucky Manufacturing Facility (TMMK) and meet with plant executives. Additionally, the team was able to take a deep dive into the incredible ecosystem that Toyota has helped create to build out a comprehensive pipeline of next-generation talent in the local community and address workforce development needs.
We visited a 4T Academy classroom along with FAME USA and their partnership with the Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and we received a warm welcome at Georgetown Middle School in Scott County, which is one of the schools where the Driving Possibilities program has been deployed. All are aimed at attracting more students to pursue careers in STEM and advanced manufacturing. This was an incredible way to understand just how impactful, longstanding, and future-forward Toyota’s investments in Kentucky have been and will continue to be. These kinds of investments into workforce development initiatives are ones that many of our members’ U.S. organizations champion, which ultimately helps to strengthen U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness on the local and national levels.
As part of this trip, the JAMA USA team was delighted to join a Japan/America Society of Kentucky (JASK) networking reception held at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and hear from David Carpenter, JASK’s Executive Director, about the important economic role of Japanese industry in the state of Kentucky. We also could not miss the opportunity to see Kentucky horse country firsthand. Carpenter, along with dedicated and knowledgeable staff at the Kentucky Horse Park, took us on a fantastic personal tour of this state treasure.
JAMA Tokyo Japanese Market Data Release
In October, JAMA’s headquarters in Tokyo released its annual Motor Industry of Japan report. This report is a one-stop shop for a number of key statistics and updates from the Japanese automobile industry, including motor vehicle production, new registrations, exports, global operations, etc. and updates on current trends and developments in the industry. This report demonstrates the immense importance of the automotive industry to Japan’s economy and to the world.
Member Spotlights
Nissan Launches Centers of Excellence
In July, Nissan announced the launch of the Centers of Excellence in Decherd, Tennessee, which aims to enhance workforce development and support the growth of the automotive industry in the U.S.
This initiative prepares students for careers in the automotive sector by providing a curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience. Students who go through the program will also receive industry-recognized certifications and accreditations upon completion of the course.
The first cohort of students began the program in August, and Nissan employees will serve as full-time Centers of Excellence instructors in partnership with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT).
Subaru’s “Share the Love Event” Celebrates the Spirit of Giving
In the spirit of giving this holiday season, as part of the Subaru Share the Love Event, between November 21, 2024, and January 2, 2025, Subaru and its retailers will be donating a minimum of $300 from each purchase or lease of a new car to a charity of choice.
This is the 17th year Subaru has been hosting this event and, to date, has donated nearly $320 million to nearly 2,300 hometown charities. Some of the charities that have been longstanding recipients year after year include ASPCA, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels, and the National Park Foundation.